Warning: This post contains minor spoilers for AmsterdamAmsterdam cast and character guide. David O. Russell writes and directs Amsterdam, bringing together a star-studded cast to execute the story. The film was first announced in January 2020, with production being pushed back due to the global pandemic. However, filming had begun by January 2021, with Russell bringing on several well-known actors to play the characters in the film.
Set in the 1930s, Amsterdam follows a trio of friends who are caught in the middle of a murder mystery after they're blamed for the death of a US senator. Russell's past films have boasted many famous actors, including Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and George Clooney, and Amsterdam is no different. While Christian Bale was always onboard in one three main roles, Michael B. Jordan was once attached to star alongside him, with Lawrence and Jamie Foxx also considered for a role at some point. Amsterdam not only has a sprawling main cast, but a line-up of notable actors in supporting roles.
Amsterdam is an ensemble cast led by Bale, whose character narrates the story as it unfolds. With so many famous actors appearing onscreen — in major and minor roles — here is the full cast guide, including character descriptions, which characters each actor portrays, and in what previous films and TV shows they have been in.
Christian Bale As Burt Berendsen
Burt Berendsen is a doctor who served in the U.S. military during World War I. Burt suffered an injury that left him with a prosthetic eye, which eventually led him to open a back alley clinic to help other veterans. Burt is portrayed by Christian Bale, who is best known for his roles in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, in which he played Bruce Wayne/Batman, American Hustle, The Fighter, Thor: Love & Thunder, Ford v Ferrari, The Prestige, and The Machinist, among several other notable films.
John David Washington As Harold Woodsman
Harold Woodsman is a lawyer who served in the U.S. military during World War I, which is when he met Burt. Harold took and passed the bar upon returning to New York, where he maintained a friendship with Burt. Harold is portrayed by John David Washington, who is best known for his roles in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman, the Netflix film Malcolm & Marie, in which he starred opposite Euphoria’s Zendaya, Beckett, and Christopher Nolan’s action thriller Tenet.
Margot Robbie As Valerie Voze
Valerie Voze is a nurse who collects metal shrapnel for her art. Burt and Harold meet Valerie while stationed in Europe. Following the war they decide to move to Amsterdam for a while before moving back to New York, where Valerie lives with her brother and sister-in-law. Valerie is portrayed by Margot Robbie, who is best known for her roles in Birds of Prey, in which she played Harley Quinn, a role she reprised in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad and originally played in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, I, Tonya, The Wolf of Wall Street, Focus, starring opposite Will Smith, Bombshell, and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Rami Malek As Tom Voze
Tom Voze is Valerie's affluent brother and birdwatcher, who aids his sister and her friends on their mission to clear their names. Tom is portrayed by Rami Malek, who is best known for the TV drama Mr. Robot, the James Bond film No Time to Die, and for playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Malek has also been Night at the Museum, the indie drama Short Term 12, Need for Speed, and voicing Flip McVicker in the animated series BoJack Horseman.
Anya Taylor-Joy As Libby Voze
Libby Voze is Tom’s wife and Valerie’s sister-in-law. The two have a contentious relationship throughout Amsterdam. Libby is portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, who is best known for her roles in the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, the horror film The Witch, Peaky Blinders, where she played Gina Gray, The Northman, Last Night in Soho, and critically panned film The New Mutants.
Robert De Niro As General Gil Dillenbeck
General Gil Dillenbeck is a veteran of the U.S. military who Burt, Harold, and Valerie attempt to track down for help. Gil Dillenbeck is portrayed by Robert De Niro, who is best known for his roles in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas, Casino, Analyze This, Meet the Parents, Stardust, and, most recently, Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular clown.
Amsterdam Supporting Cast & Character Guide
Zoe Saldaña as Irma St. Clair - Irma St. Clair is a pathologist who meets Burt and Harold after they are accused of murder. Zoe Saldaña is best known for her roles in James Cameron’s Avatar, 2009’s Star Trek and its two sequels, in which she played the character of Uhura, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the Netflix film The Adam Project, Death at a Funeral and the biopic Nina.
Chris Rock as Milton King - Milton King is a military veteran and a friend of Harold and Burt. Chris Rock is a comedian and actor who is notable for his roles in The Longest Yard, Top Five, the animated film Madagascar, the TV series Fargo, Everybody Hates Chris, Down to Earth, Saturday Night Live, and Death at a Funeral.
Mike Myers as Paul Canterbury - Paul Canterbury is an MI6 agent who works with Valerie. Mike Myers is best known for playing the titular character in the Austin Powers movies, which parody James Bond films, and voicing the character of Shrek in the animated film of the same name. Myers has also appeared in Bohemian Rhapsody, Inglourious Basterds, and Saturday Night Live.
Michael Shannon as Henry Norcross - Henry Norcross is a Naval Intelligence Officer who works with Paul Canterbury. Michael Shannon is best known for his roles in 99 Homes, Revolutionary Road, Man of Steel, where he plays General Zod, the TV series Boardwalk Empire, Guillermo del Toro’s film The Shape of Water, The Iceman, the Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, and Rian Johnson’s whodunit mystery Knives Out.
Timothy Olyphant as Tarim Milfax - Tarim Halifax is the killer who goes after Burt, Harold, and Valerie. Timothy Olyphant is known for his roles in the TV series Justified, Fargo, Santa Clarita Diet, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and the TV series Deadwood.
Andrea Riseborough as Beatrice Vandenheuvel - Beatrice Vandenheuvel is Burt’s wife and the daughter of an affluent and influential doctor on Park Avenue. Andrea Riseborough is known for her roles in the Tom Cruise film Oblivion, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Nocturnal Animals, and the TV miniseries Waco.
Ed Begley Jr. as Senator Bill Meekins - Senator Bill Meekins is a military veteran and the man whose death Burt, Harold, and Valerie are tasked with solving. Ed Begley Jr. is known for Pineapple Express, the TV comedy series Young Sheldon, Better Call Saul, and Arrested Development.
Taylor Swift as Elizabeth Meekins - Elizabeth Meekins is Senator Bill Meekins’ daughter who recruits Burt and Harold to help her solve the reason behind his death. Taylor Swift is a singer-songwriter whose acting credits include The Giver, the musical adaptation of Cats, and the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day.
Matthias Schoenaerts as Det. Lem Getwiller - Detective Lem Getwiller is investigating Burt and Harold; he is also a patient of Burt’s. Matthias Schoenaerts is known for the Netflix film The Old Guard, Far from the Madding Crowd, Red Sparrow, and Rust and Bone.
Alessandro Nivola as Det. Hiltz - Detective Hiltz is Lem Getwiller’s partner who is less distrustful of Burt and Harold than Lem. Alessandro Nivola is best known for the Nicolas Cage movie Face/Off, American Hustle, The Many Saints of Newark, and Jurassic Park III.
Leland Orser as Mr. Nevins - Mr. Nevins is a wealthy and influential businessman, as well as a member of the Committee of Five. Leland Orser is known for the Liam Neeson movie Taken, Se7en, Alien: Resurrection, and The Bone Collector.
Tom Irwin as Mr. Belport - Mr. Beloport is also a businessman and a member of the Committee of Five. Tom Irwin is known for The Haunting, My So-Called Life, Devious Maids, and the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show.
Beth Grant as Mrs. Dillenbeck - Mrs. Dillenback is General Gil Dillenbeck’s wife. Beth Grant is known for Donnie Darko, Speed, No Country for Old Men, the comedy show The Mindy Project, and the Hulu series Dollface.
Bonnie Hellman as Shirley Pratt - Shirley Pratt is Burt’s assistant in Amsterdam. Bonnie Hellman is known for Jimmy Kimmel Live!